Children Who Have Become Caregivers
LANTANA, Fla. – Throughout the United States, children are recently becoming more of a caregiver rather than the care receiver. Children often younger than 15, are helping take care of their sick parents and grandparents. These responsibilities are often tasks that a parent would do for a child such as dressing, washing, feeding and medicating.
The effects on these caregiver children can be empowering or depressing. The stress that comes along with caring for a sick person is not something a child should have to go through.
Teachers are now supposed to know the signs that say a child is a caregiver at home. Often parents will be hesitant and embarrassed to tell anyone that they need help from a child. Teachers often can detect an uncertainty in a child when something isn’t going well at home.
Due to the state of the economy, parents and grandparents cannot afford to pay for help. The child is free health care.
No child should have to lose out on their childhood because their family could not afford care giving help. It is saddening that more and more children will have to grow up in a home with a sick guardian. Without the child’s help, where would these families be?
Monday, February 23, 2009
Post 1- Children Take on Role of Caregivers
Children Take on Role of Caregivers
LANTANA, Fla. – Throughout the United States, children are recently becoming more of a caregiver rather than the care receiver. Children often younger than 15, are helping take care of their sick parents and grandparents. These responsibilities are often tasks that a parent would do for a child such as dressing, washing, feeding and medicating.
Children may experience a sense of self worth from taking care of their elders or experience depression and low self esteem. Often times school is left behind when a child has to spend a majority of their day helping their family.
Less than 3% of families are living with a child caregiver, but studies suggest that these numbers will rise as long as our country is facing a recession.
There are different organizations that have stepped up to the plate to help these children cope with being a caregiver. The Caregiving Youth Project prides itself on helping children out who may feel lost and depressed due to caring for their sick family member.
LANTANA, Fla. – Throughout the United States, children are recently becoming more of a caregiver rather than the care receiver. Children often younger than 15, are helping take care of their sick parents and grandparents. These responsibilities are often tasks that a parent would do for a child such as dressing, washing, feeding and medicating.
Children may experience a sense of self worth from taking care of their elders or experience depression and low self esteem. Often times school is left behind when a child has to spend a majority of their day helping their family.
Less than 3% of families are living with a child caregiver, but studies suggest that these numbers will rise as long as our country is facing a recession.
There are different organizations that have stepped up to the plate to help these children cope with being a caregiver. The Caregiving Youth Project prides itself on helping children out who may feel lost and depressed due to caring for their sick family member.
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